This is another term for what is more commonly known as male or female pattern baldness, one of the more common causes of hair loss. Androgenetic Alopecia is genetic and can be experienced by men or women any time after puberty.

This hereditary condition is caused by a hormone in the body called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is formed when alpha-reductase enzymes convert testosterones in the body into DHT. DHT binds itself to the follicles of hair and suffocates them, preventing essential vitamins and nutrients from reaching them. Hair follicle becomes weak and malnourished and miniaturized causing hair to fall out prematurely. DHT has effectively shortened the lifecycle of the hair. With time, the hair follicle produces progressively fine hairs with shorter life cycles until eventually, the hair loss becomes permanent.

As men have higher testosterone levels than women, it is likely they will product more DHT hence leading to more serious hair loss. Men with androgenetic alopecia often experience receding hair lines which progresses to partial or complete baldness. Women tend to experience thinning hair on the sides and tops of their scalps

Androgenetic Alopecia can be treated with a drug called Minoxidil which helps to stimulate hair follicles and Finesteride which helps to lower DHT levels. Unfortunately, both drugs come with their own undesirable side effects and Finesteride in particular has not been approved for treating Androgenetic Alopecia in women.